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Why do we have religion? Until recently, most anthropologists would tell you this isn't even a valid question. But in fact the intellectual tools for addressing the question simply didn't exist. Now, says Pascal Boyer, they do, provided by theories and research in evolutionary biology and cognitive psychology. 'Religion Explained' shows how we are becoming able to answer questions such as: Why does religion matter so much in peoples lives? Why are there many religions, instead of just one? Why does religion persist in the face of apparently more efficient ways of looking at the world? The short answer is: 'Because that is how our minds were prepared by evolution.' Of course, God is in the details, and in its details 'Religion Explained' is an endlessly fascinating and controversial book.
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